ENGLAND’S T20 World Cup clash against Australia has been abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain.
That is the fourth match to finish without a result because of the poor weather Down Under.
Jos Buttler and Aaron Finch discuss the conditions with the umpires on the field
The old rivals were due to lock horns at the Melbourne Cricket Ground – but the rain poured down and made the pitch unplayable.
Captains Jos Buttler and Aaron Finch had frequent chats with the umpires in the middle.
But with the outfield completely waterlogged, there was no chance of any cricket – even after they tried to delay the toss.
And the decision to call it off came at 8.48pm local time to a chorus of boos from those who had stuck around inside the stadium.
Now both sides face uncertainty trying to make it through the Super 12 stage.
England are now second in Group 1 with one win, one no-result and one defeat – that shock loss to Ireland on Wednesday.
They take on New Zealand on Tuesday and then Sri Lanka on November 5 knowing even two wins would not guarantee a top-two finish.
Australia – who would have been all but out with defeat – have the same record but with a significantly worse run rate.
Buttler said: “It was due to a be a massive occasion, a full house against Australia, one of the biggest games of your career so we are very disappointed not to play.
“We have retained full faith in the group, we haven’t become a bad team overnight, we are full of match winners are looking forward to the rest of the tournament.”
Finch added: “The outfield was drenched, it was as wet as I have ever seen it.
“I think the run-ups were an issue and the inner circle. It comes down to player safety.
“If you are trying to run out there, it was going to be a real issue.”
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